First to start with a little good news from the state.

With the implementation of the new computerized licensing system, it is now easier to get a replacement hunting and/or fishing license. Because of this ease, the state has lowered the fee it charges if you need to replace a lost or stolen license. Under the old manual system it cost almost eleven dollars for each replacement license. With the new system the price has dropped to $7.66, over a nine per cent drop! For all of you that have inadvertently washed their license (present company included) this little bit of savings helps.

Fishing options

I hope many of you got to get out and enjoy the fantastic ling cod fishing before the closure, but now that it is over there are plenty of other fishing opportunities out there for the taking.

First for those who really enjoy the salt, halibut fishing remains open into next month. Granted the later it gets in the season, the more difficult the fishing gets, but with the nice days we’ve been having, any excuse to get out on the water is worth it.

Trout are still available, but getting them is not going to be easy. Many of the shallow lakes that were planted this spring have warmed considerably and become choked with algae. The remaining fish will be deep and in areas that have considerable shade. If you are after trout, your best bets will be the early morning or late evening hours.

Fly anglers should match the hatch and head for Pass Lake during these hours. With the abundance of insects, the fishing should pick up during the low light hours. Cranberry is another place to try early in the morning for some good sized German brown trout.

angling in warm water

The past very warm weather has pushed water temps up considerably, making warm water species much more active. Some of the most exciting fishing is bassin’ in the shallows.

Find an area with considerable lily pads. Try a rat or frog lure skipping along the pads. With a good pair of polarized glasses you can actually see the fish stalking your lure. The heart pounding you get as you see the swirl behind your lure is addictive.

The key to this kind of fishing is patience. Too many anglers set the hook as soon as the see the fish rise for the lure, resulting in many lost fish. If you can contain yourself, wait a second or two after your lure disappears before setting the hook.

Another fun bass tactic is to toss buzz baits in the same shallows during low light hours. It is a wonder that bait that makes this much commotion would actually attract fish. The lure sounds like a struggling frog or baitfish on the surface. Big bass key in on this struggle as a sign for an easy meal, it is fun when you can barely see your lure, but then you stop hearing it and feel pressure on your line. Set the hook, and hang on for the fight. It is important that if you try this type of bass fishing to be prepared for it.

While you may enjoy fighting the fish on your little ultra light and four-pound test, you will be setting yourself up for failure in the pads. These fish will head straight for the underbrush and will snap your line in an instant. For this type of fishing you need a good rod that can turn the fish away from the vegetation and quality line in the 8-12 pound test range. Do not despair if you are a lover of good ultra-light action.

The increased water temps mean the panfish should be very active. There is not much more fun that tackling feisty perch or bluegills on a little spincaster loaded with 2-4 pound test. Crappie fishing is another fun panfish to try, especially at night. Hang a lantern on a pole off the side of your boat. The lantern will attract bugs, which in turn will attract crappie. Jig a minnow or crappie jig just off in the shadows of your lantern.

If bass is your quarry, then locally head for Campbell, Whatcom and Terrell. For panfish best bets will be Campbell, Little Cranberry, Clear and Big lakes.

If you have this official start of summer weekend off, then head to the other side of the mountains. There the warm water fishing has been fantastic. Along with the many bass and panfish to be had, there are some very good opportunities for walleyes, and catfish in the areas around Banks and Moses lakes, along with the Potholes Reservoir and the Seep Lakes area.

Just a quick reminder that you application for special big game hunts need to be completed by June 23. Good luck!